insurance for cruises

[Knickearth]

friends of mine who like to cruise live in New York.  They have been informed that Princess does not sell insurance to people in New York.  Has anyone here other companies to recommend?   For a seven day cruise they were recently quoted about $350. each just for insurance.

 

Thanks for any help

[LACruiser88]

Check out the Cruise Critics forum on cruise insurance.  Link below:

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

37 minutes ago, Knickearth said:

friends of mine who like to cruise live in New York.  They have been informed that Princess does not sell insurance to people in New York.  Has anyone here other companies to recommend?   For a seven day cruise they were recently quoted about $350. each just for insurance.

 

Thanks for any help

Before you purchase travel insurance. Check to see if any of your charge cards include it. Mine does. I had Citi Bank that had it then they dropped it. I now have it on a Bank of America card. The card it $95 a year but the points and the insurance well make up for it. We cruise 4-6 times a year. If I had to purchase insurance every time, it would be a heck of a lot more then the $95.00 We had to use it one time for a cruise we had to cancel. Our refund was fast and easy. Plus it cove just about everything when you travel.

[Steelers0854]

5 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Before you purchase travel insurance. Check to see if any of your charge cards include it. Mine does. I had Citi Bank that had it then they dropped it. I now have it on a Bank of America card. The card it $95 a year but the points and the insurance well make up for it. We cruise 4-6 times a year. If I had to purchase insurance every time, it would be a heck of a lot more then the $95.00 We had to use it one time for a cruise we had to cancel. Our refund was fast and easy. Plus it cove just about everything when you travel.

 

I would be very cautious about this.  The coverages on credit cards are generally no replacement for actual travel insurance and you may be missing critical coverages.  Please remember that an air evacuation, especially in a foreign country, can easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars if not more.  While these benefits are great as an “icing on the cake” type of strategy I would not rely on them until you understand exactly what they will or will not cover, any exclusions (like pandemic or epidemic related illness) and what the limits are (both per incident and per year).

[eclue]

WE always use Squaremouth.com to buy insurance. They will give you a variety of options and choose which one works best for you. And always better than what Princess offers!

[riffatsea]

My Chase saphire card give sme travel insurance

To get the evacuation and medical coverage I buy a travel medicine plan from Geo Blue,  a division of blue Cross

Everyone has different insurance needs

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

16 hours ago, Steelers0854 said:

 

I would be very cautious about this.  The coverages on credit cards are generally no replacement for actual travel insurance and you may be missing critical coverages.  Please remember that an air evacuation, especially in a foreign country, can easily be in the tens of thousands of dollars if not more.  While these benefits are great as an “icing on the cake” type of strategy I would not rely on them until you understand exactly what they will or will not cover, any exclusions (like pandemic or epidemic related illness) and what the limits are (both per incident and per year).

Mine has excellent coverage including replacement of luggage and much much, more. Before you say what you are saying, you first must read what my insurance covers. It is massive and excellent. As for air evacuation, I would think that would be rare. We cruise only the Caribbean and the Bahamas. If we had to fly back to Florida that is not expensive at all. So to each there own. Whatever floats the boat for you. I am retired and have Humana supplement insurance. I did have a medial situation on one cruise and submitted to Humana, received a check in two weeks.

[klfrodo]

On 7/14/2022 at 10:14 AM, Knickearth said:

friends of mine who like to cruise live in New York.  They have been informed that Princess does not sell insurance to people in New York.  Has anyone here other companies to recommend?   For a seven day cruise they were recently quoted about $350. each just for insurance.

 

Thanks for any help

The reason why cruiselines cannot sell the travel insurance to your friends is because all cruiseline insurance includes "Cancel For Any Reason". NY does not consider this as an "Insurance" so by law, it cannot be sold in the State.

 

Having said that, what exactly are they looking to "insure"?

Some people are looking to be made 100% full in case of any instance. (which is an unrealistic expectation IMO)

Some people self insure the whole thing. (No insurance)

Some people (like me) self insure the cost of the cruise, however the thought of a major medical instance frightens me. Therefore, I purchase a plan that provides primary medical up to $100K, Evacuation and repatriation of up to $250K by just declaring that my total trip cost is $500 per person. (I pay $35pp for this plan each trip)

That $500pp also gives me Trip Delay up to 150% of Trip cost, the baggage loss, and others. Along with my CSR cc, I'm comfortable with my risks at that point.

 I use www.tripinsurancestore.com for my Travel Insurance provider.

Edited July 15, 2022 by klfrodo

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Your TA can quote you.

[Jersey42]

3 hours ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Mine has excellent coverage including replacement of luggage and much much, more. Before you say what you are saying, you first must read what my insurance covers. It is massive and excellent. As for air evacuation, I would think that would be rare. We cruise only the Caribbean and the Bahamas. If we had to fly back to Florida that is not expensive at all. So to each there own. Whatever floats the boat for you. I am retired and have Humana supplement insurance. I did have a medial situation on one cruise and submitted to Humana, received a check in two weeks.

Can you post a link to the guide to benefits for your BofA card so I can see what it covers?  The only BofA card I can find that offers travel insurance is the Premium Rewards card.  I see highlights of coverage for that card, but not the details. And the devil is in the details. I am familiar with the Chase cards and I have seen the AmEx cards. The Chase cards are the best ones I have seen (for me), but they have holes. I am curious if your BofA card fills in any of the holes I have with my Chase card.  I do rely on my Chase card for many trips and add more coverage for others.  I am much more comfortable relying on the Chase card or self insuring when my exposure is limited.  For more expensive trips, especially where pre-existing conditions may be an issue, I usually purchase a separate policy.  The primary issues I have with Chase:

• Minimal medical coverage - I can't relay on the credit card for medical coverage and this is a potentially significant expense that I want to be protected against. If someone has good foreign travel medical coverage than this is a non issue.  Like you, I am on Medicare with a supplement.  Supplements (not Advantage Plans) that cover foreign travel are limited by law to $50K lifetime.  Plus they only pay 80% of usual and customary charges after a small deductible.  I can deal with the 80/20 split, but not the $50K, so I carry an annual GeoBlue medical/medevac policy.  It costs a few hundred per year for two and it won't impact my $50K lifetime maximum. 
• Pre-existing conditions - Trip cancelation and interruption does not cover pre-existing conditions for me, my traveling companion or non traveling family members.  Many people have what insurance calls a pre-existing condition, without realizing it.  If someone takes no prescriptions, and never sees a doctor beyond an annual physical, it is not an issue.  If that is not the case for you (or your parents, in-laws, kids etc.), it is important to read the policy. Chase is fairly restrictive. 
• Other - I can usually live with other shortcomings of Chase such as more limited covered reasons, and much more limited coverage for trip interruption.  I do like the fairly high limits for cancellation and interruption - $10K per person, 20K per trip and $40K per year.  

 

I agree that each person needs to read the coverage and make the best decision for their circumstances.  If you can't find a link to the guide to benefits, can you post excerpts of BofA's coverage for medical, pre-existing conditions and covered reasons for cancellation and interruption reasons.  Thanks.

 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

This is an over view of what is covered. Remember we do not cruise anywhere but the Bahamas and the Caribbean. For us this is perfect. You would need to visit BoA  for the complete coverage. The paper we have is fine print and many pages of coverage. The earning rate we get is the maximum 3-1/2% because of what we keep in your accounts. You must use the card to purchase you cruise

There’s a travel credit card that doesn’t get as much love as some other popular choices — and that’s the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card. For those not familiar with this card, it comes with a sign-up bonus of 50,000 points after you spend $3,000 within the first 90 days of account opening.

For a $95 annual fee, the Premium Rewards card highlights include a 2x earning rate on travel and dining purchases, 1.5x on all other eligible purchases, and an up-to-$100 airline credit to cover ancillary purchases such as seat upgrades, baggage fees, inflight services and more. Every four years, you’ll also get up to a $100 Global Entry credit, which can be used to give you TSA PreCheck or Global Entry — something every frequent traveler should have in their arsenal.

Aside from these benefits, there are some perks that aren’t as widely advertised but can be just as valuable — so let’s go over the top five lesser-known perks of the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card.

No one wants to lose their luggage when they travel. There’s a lot to worry about, from working with the airline to try to get your bag back and going without all of your essentials. But the Bank of America Premium Rewards card offers something to help ease that pain.

If you pay for your trip costs with this card, the lost luggage coverage protects both your luggage and the contents inside of it if it’s lost or stolen due to theft or misdirection by the common carrier. Bank of America defines common carriers as airlines, buses, trains and cruise ships.

Along the same lines as the lost luggage reimbursement, the Premium Rewards card also offers coverage if your bags are delayed. When your checked baggage is delayed for at least six hours with a common carrier, you can receive up to $100 per day for up to five days that your baggage is delayed. The card’s benefit is limited to expenses incurred for essential items, such as toiletries, clothing and chargers for electronic equipment.

If something comes up with your trip, the Premium Rewards Card helps to ensure that you’re not completely losing everything you spent. If you have to cancel your trip due to a covered reason, the benefit will cover up to $2,500 per trip for any unused, prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses.

Covered types of non-refundable expenses include airfare and other common carrier fares (such as cruises, buses, and train), hotel costs, tours booked through a tour operator, prepaid rental cars, rented recreational vehicles, change fees and commercial recreational excursions.

Your trip will be covered for reasons such as accidental injury, change in military orders, a call to jury duty, a named storm warning and more. However, not all expenses are covered: Some examples are a change in plans, a change in financial circumstances, any loss because of unused vouchers, tickets, credits or coupons, and more.

If you run into a problem with a purchase you just made, the Premium Rewards Card covers you whether the item is stolen or damaged. Say, for example, you bought a new iPhone, and just a few days after having it, you drop it right on its face. The screen completely shatters and it isn’t useable. If you didn’t purchase Apple Care, the purchase protection of your Premium Rewards Card could really come into play here.

The purchase protection with this card will repair, replace or reimburse you for an eligible item purchased with your card that is stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. You’ll be covered for up to $10,000 per claim.

Along the same lines, the Premium Rewards Card also offers an extended protection benefit. This perk doubles the time period of the manufacturer’s warranty for up to one additional year on warranties of three years or less.

This benefit gives you access to Visa Signature’s portfolio of premium hotels. If you stay with one of the hotels in the collection and pay with your Premium Rewards card, you’ll get benefits that include best rate guarantee, late checkout, free breakfast daily for two, automatic room upgrades (if available), a $25 daily food or beverage credit and more.

While the Bank of America Premium Rewards credit card has plenty of perks on the surface, some of its greatest benefits aren’t as widely advertised. From reimbursing you for lost luggage to offering you special treatment at a collection of premium hotels, the card offers value in various ways.

 

Trip delay

Provides up to $500 per ticket purchased for you and your eligible family members for reasonable expenses if a covered trip is delayed (due to a covered hazard) for more than 12 hours.

 

Trip Cancellation/Interruption

Provides reimbursement of up to $5,000 per person, per trip, for the unused prepaid non-refundable travel expenses including passenger fares, tours, and hotels if you have to cancel due to a covered reason.

 

Baggage Delay

Provides reimbursement of up to $100 per day (up to five days), when your bags are delayed or misdirected by a common carrier for more than six hours for essential items including clothing. Coverage is secondary to the common carrier.

 

Lost Luggage Reimbursement

Provides you coverage for luggage and its contents if they are lost or stolen due to theft or misdirection by the common carrier (airline, bus, train, cruise ship).

 

Common Carrier Travel Accident Insurance

Provides you coverage against accidental loss of life, limb, or sight while traveling by land, air, or sea on a licensed common carrier, when you purchase tickets using your card.

 

Traven & Emergency Assistance

Lets you get help coordinating medical, legal, and travel services when you are traveling. The cost of any goods or services is your responsibility.

 

Emergency Evacuation & Transportation Coverage

If you or a member of your immediate family are injured or become sick during a trip far from home that results in an emergency evacuation, you can be covered for eligible medical services and transportation.

 

Purchase Security

Can repair, replace or reimburse you, if an eligible item purchased with the card is stolen or damaged within 90 days of purchase. Provides reimbursement of up to $10,000 per claim.

 

Warranty Manager Service

Doubles the time period of the manufacturers' warranty, up to one additional year, for eligible items purchased with your card. You can also register your receipt and warranty information, which can be kept on file on warranties of three years or less, when you need them.

 

Return Protection

Provides you with reimbursement for the cost of an eligible item of personal property if you are dissatisfied with the item for any reason within 90 days of the purchase and if the retailer will not accept the return. Coverage is limited to $250 per eligible item and up to $1,000 annually. Items must be received by the Benefit Administrator in like-new/good working condition.

 

Auto Rental Collision Damage Waver

Provides you reimbursement for damage due to collision or theft. Coverage is supplemental to and in excess of other insurance. You must decline the collision/loss damage waiver offered by the auto rental agency.

 

Roadside Dispatch Program

Offers you a 24/7 on-demand referral dispatch network that provides emergency roadside assistance, towing, and locksmith services giving you peace of mind when you’re out on the road.

 

 

[GeezerCouple]

We would strongly suggest that travelers explore travel insurance policies from a travel insurance professional.

 

We use www.TripInsuranceStore.com (also mentioned above by klfrodo.

https://tripinsurancestore.com

 

We also suggest that you (or anyone) CALL them, and not rely upon online summaries of policies.  Travel insurance (probably any insurance?) policies include some very important "fine print", and some of that fine print uses terminology that may not be the same as in "everyday life".  ("Pre-existing condition" is one term where there can be unfortunate confusion, possibly leading to claim denial because the coverage was never valid in the first place.)

 

A travel insurance broker can explain these issues with the traveler, and also have additional discussions that help one to get a policy that matches their particular trip and insurance needs.  They will deal with more than one travel insurance vendor, and help each client to get the best match for their particular needs and preferences.

Not everyone has elderly/frail family members at home.  Not everyone has "pre-existing conditions" as defined in the policy, but some do...  Not everyone realizes that plain Medicare rarely covers foreign medical care, and that most add-on policies have a $50k *lifetime* limit.  Some travelers don't want coverage for trip costs, such as for cancellation or interruption; others do.  Etc...

 

We've used TIS for quite a few policies since learning about them here on CruiseCritic.  We've had several claims, including some large ones.  All were paid without any nonsense.

The policy that we get may or may not be what is best for other travelers, etc.  We were fortunate to learn about these complexities before our first major trip;  DH had a medical emergency less than 2 weeks before our planned departure date, when the penalties were 100% of our pre-paid non-refundable costs, which were considerable.  Our only travel for several weeks was for medical care, and there were many times when we mumbled to each other, "At least we won't have to pay AGAIN when we reschedule this trip!"

Had we not had that insurance, we may have had such an unpleasant "non-experience" with what was to be our first big trip that we wouldn't have planned another.  Instead, we've had many truly amazing trips.

 

GC

 

[Jersey42]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

This is an over view of what is covered. Remember we do not cruise anywhere but the Bahamas and the Caribbean. For us this is perfect. You would need to visit BoA  for the complete coverage. The paper we have is fine print and many pages of coverage.

Thanks for pulling this together.  A lot of this high level information looks similar to Chase's marketing info.  Some of the words are identical, so they may even use the same company to administer the plans.  The devil is still in the details, so that paper with the fine print is key.  I still can't find it online, but I am a BofA customer, so I will try calling them and see if they will send me a pdf.

 

From what I can see at this level,  a lot of the coverage is probably identical to Chase.  Cancelation and interruption amounts are much better with Chase (but if you only take short and relatively inexpensive trips it won't matter).  Unlike BofA, Chase does not include any Emergency Evacuation & Transportation Coverage in their $95 fee card (Preferred).  It does not look like either bank provides any medical coverage in their $95 card with the possible exception of medical care during an emergency evacuation (BofA).  So I still need to keep GeoBlue (or something else), and that includes both medical and medevac. The BofA wording makes me think the trip interruption limitations with Chase are no better with BofA, but I need to see the guide to be sure.  I also need the guide to understand pre-existing conditions and covered reasons/exclusions.  If BofA waives pre-existing conditions, I would probably jump on it even with the lower cancellation/interruption coverage.  But I have yet to see a credit card that does that. 

 

If I get a copy of the guide, I will post anything new that I find out.  In any case I think the OP should follow @GeezerCouple ''s advice.  A broker like tripinsurancestore will provide more options and better advice than virtually any TA. The OP can also review credit card coverage too. Then once they understand everything, they can make the best decision for their own circumstances.  You are very happy with your credit card approach, and a hybrid approach (GeoBlue + Credit Card + trip specific insurance when warranted) is better for our situation. 

 

Unfortunately all of this is much more complicated than it should be, and most people only find out about the "gotchas" after they make a claim.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, Jersey42 said:

Thanks for pulling this together.  A lot of this high level information looks similar to Chase's marketing info.  Some of the words are identical, so they may even use the same company to administer the plans.  The devil is still in the details, so that paper with the fine print is key.  I still can't find it online, but I am a BofA customer, so I will try calling them and see if they will send me a pdf.

 

From what I can see at this level,  a lot of the coverage is probably identical to Chase.  Cancelation and interruption amounts are much better with Chase (but if you only take short and relatively inexpensive trips it won't matter).  Unlike BofA, Chase does not include any Emergency Evacuation & Transportation Coverage in their $95 fee card (Preferred).  It does not look like either bank provides any medical coverage in their $95 card with the possible exception of medical care during an emergency evacuation (BofA).  So I still need to keep GeoBlue (or something else), and that includes both medical and medevac. The BofA wording makes me think the trip interruption limitations with Chase are no better with BofA, but I need to see the guide to be sure.  I also need the guide to understand pre-existing conditions and covered reasons/exclusions.  If BofA waives pre-existing conditions, I would probably jump on it even with the lower cancellation/interruption coverage.  But I have yet to see a credit card that does that. 

 

If I get a copy of the guide, I will post anything new that I find out.  In any case I think the OP should follow @GeezerCouple ''s advice.  A broker like tripinsurancestore will provide more options and better advice than virtually any TA. The OP can also review credit card coverage too. Then once they understand everything, they can make the best decision for their own circumstances.  You are very happy with your credit card approach, and a hybrid approach (GeoBlue + Credit Card + trip specific insurance when warranted) is better for our situation. 

 

Unfortunately all of this is much more complicated than it should be, and most people only find out about the "gotchas" after they make a claim.

Like I said. We have Humana and they will cover whatever the cost is for medical care anywhere. We pay zero per month for it. Our Medicare pays them.

[klfrodo]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Like I said. We have Humana and they will cover whatever the cost is for medical care anywhere. We pay zero per month for it. Our Medicare pays them.

Just asking. Isn't that limited to a $50K lifetime though?

[jclinard]

Be sure to get recommendations only from people who know what color the insurance companies write their checks on.

 

I doubt many people have issues getting the company to accept payment for the premiums.  

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

14 hours ago, klfrodo said:

Just asking. Isn't that limited to a $50K lifetime though?

There is no limit at all. Same as Medicare. There is a $3,900.00 maximum out of pocket annually which I meet because I have cancer. Those charges add up fast. After those co-pays and deductibles Humana pays 100%.

[Babr]

1 hour ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

There is no limit at all. Same as Medicare. There is a $3,900.00 maximum out of pocket annually which I meet because I have cancer. Those charges add up fast. After those co-pays and deductibles Humana pays 100%.

Yikes. You better check that paper you have with lots of fine print and pages of coverage. You have a pre-existing condition and may not be covered by your credit card after all.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

Just now, Babr said:

Yikes. You better check that paper you have with lots of fine print and pages of coverage. You have a pre-existing condition and may not be covered by your credit card after all.

I have had Humana for over 11 years now. No pre existing condition when I got it and no limit that I can find. I looked before I replied.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

When I had catastrophic State Fam insurance I had to pay the first $5000.00 before they covered anything. there was a one mill limit. Then no more coverage. Not with Humana. Totally different type of coverage.

[Babr]

1 minute ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

I have had Humana for over 11 years now. No pre existing condition when I got it and no limit that I can find. I looked before I replied.

I’m talking about your credit card coverage with B of A that you use for travel risks like cancellation, not your medical under Humana - two separate kinds of coverage.

 

If you are relying on your credit card coverage for cancellation and you have cancer, you have a pre-existing condition. Your credit card will not reimburse you for cancellation if it is caused by your pre-existing condition. 

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

4 minutes ago, Babr said:

I’m talking about your credit card coverage with B of A that you use for travel risks like cancellation, not your medical under Humana - two separate kinds of coverage.

 

If you are relying on your credit card coverage for cancellation and you have cancer, you have a pre-existing condition. Your credit card will not reimburse you for cancellation if it is caused by your pre-existing condition. 

Now you are talking about a totally different subject. I really do not care about charge card medical coverage. I do not need that. Others may and need to check on whatever insurance they intend to use.

[Babr]

Just now, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

Now you are talking about a totally different subject. I really do not care about charge card medical coverage. I do not need that. Others may and need to check on whatever insurance they intend to use.

Still not talking about credit card medical. For the most part, it does not exist.

 

The subject at hand is credit card benefits for travel risks like cancellation or trip interruption. You said you have excellent coverage with your card from Bank of America. You actually have no coverage for cancellation or interruption if it is caused by your pre-existing condition.

[ALWAYS CRUZIN]

1 hour ago, Babr said:

Still not talking about credit card medical. For the most part, it does not exist.

 

The subject at hand is credit card benefits for travel risks like cancellation or trip interruption. You said you have excellent coverage with your card from Bank of America. You actually have no coverage for cancellation or interruption if it is caused by your pre-existing condition.

 

So what? I would cancel in advance if my cancer would prevent me from a cruise. Why are you making my situation your business? I really do not need any advise. What does my situation have to do with great coverage via BoA charge card. You do know not everybody has cancer or a pre existing conditions, don't you? No matter. Where did you see this information. I read my coverage and nothing about pre existing conditions is mentioned at all.

[Babr]

3 minutes ago, ALWAYS CRUZIN said:

 

So what? I would cancel in advance if my cancer would prevent me from a cruise. Why are you making my situation your business? I really do not need any advise. What does my situation have to do with great coverage via BoA charge card. You do know not everybody has cancer or a pre existing conditions, don't you? No matter. Where did you see this information. I read my coverage and nothing about pre existing conditions is mentioned at all.

No offense intended. Just trying to clarify the coverage. Cancellation and interruption are usually the main travel hazards people want to protect against - not lost or delayed baggage - so it is important to understand the covered reasons and exclusions before the need to file a claim.